Prostate visualization device and methods of use

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus are provided for improved administration of brachytherapy in the treatment of prostate disease. More particularly, a prostate visualization device is provided comprising a catheter coupled to at least one deployable member at the distal end of the catheter. The deployable member is preferably manufactured from a shape memory alloy having a petal-shaped configuration suitable for engaging and defining the proximal region of a patient&#39;s bladder. The deployable member may comprise tubing filled with air or other radiopaque agents to facilitate ultrasonic imaging of the deployable members near the bladder/prostate junction.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/648,319, filed Aug. 25, 2000, and claims thebenefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No.60/295,408, filed May 31, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved apparatus and methods for thetreatment of prostate cancer. More particularly, the present inventionprovides a prostate visualization device having at least one deployablemember suitable for imaging the bladder/prostate junction, and methodsof use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers, prostate cancer is the most commoncancer afflicting American men. The American Cancer Society estimatesthat over 180,00 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. in the year2000 alone, and that nearly 32,000 people will die from the disease.Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause ofcancer death in men, accounting for roughly 11%.

Prostate cancer is defined as malignant tumor growth within the prostategland. Its cause is unknown, although high dietary fat intake andincreased testosterone levels are believed to be contributory factors. Aletter scale (“A” through “D”), which accounts for the location of thecancer, is commonly used to classify the stage of disease. In Stage A,the tumor is not palpable but is detectable in microscopic biopsy. StageB is characterized by a palpable tumor confined to the prostate. ByStage C, the tumor extends locally beyond the prostate with no distantmetastasis. By Stage D, cancer has spread to the regional lymph nodes orhas produced distant metastasis.

In the early stages, prostate cancer is most commonly treated by eitherprostate removal or by brachytherapy. More advanced cases are treated byhormonal manipulation or orchiectomy to reduce testosterone levels andcurb spreading of the disease, by chemotherapy, or by external beamradiation therapy.

With regard to treatment of early stage prostate cancer, the state ofthe art has several drawbacks. Radical prostatectomy is oftenrecommended for treatment of localized stage A and B prostate cancers.Under general or spinal anesthesia, an incision is made through apatient's abdomen or perineal area, and the diseased prostate isremoved. The procedure is lengthy, especially if a lymph node dissectionis simultaneously performed, and requires a hospital stay of 2-5 days.Possible complications include impotence and urinary incontinence.

Internal radiation therapy or brachytherapy has recently been developedand holds great promise for the treatment of early stage prostatecancer. Radioactive pellets or seeds of, for example, iodine-125,palladium-103, or iridium-192, are deposited directly into the prostatethrough needle placement. U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,130 to Schmidt provides aslightly modified example of such a needle device. Imaging techniques,such as transrectal ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI, are used to accuratelyguide placement of the radioactive material. Advantageously, radiationfrom the brachytherapy seeds is administered directly to the prostatewith less damage to surrounding tissues, delivering a substantiallyhigher radiation dosage to the prostate than to the surrounding tissues,as compared to external beam radiation therapy. The procedure need onlybe performed once, and impotence and urinary incontinence complicationsare significantly reduced, as compared to prostate removal procedures.

The seeds, which are permanently implanted, give off radiation for weeksor months. Their presence causes little discomfort, and they remain inthe prostate after decay of the radioactivity. For several weeksfollowing needle insertion, patients may experience pain in the perinealarea, and urine may have a red-brown discoloration.

Although, when performed correctly, brachytherapy may provide severalbenefits when compared to prostate removal and other techniques, currentapparatus and methods for delivering the seeds to target locationswithin the prostate are somewhat crude and are subject to practitionererror. The current method of identifying the depth of needle insertionis by ultrasound imaging. The junction of the base of the prostate andthe bladder provides a common reference plane for needle insertion.Identifying this critical reference “base” plane is critical to properneedle and seed placement.

One previously known technique for imaging the base plane is tovisualize the plane in either transverse or sagittal ultrasound imaging.Injection of contrast agent may facilitate imaging. A catheter, such asa standard Foley catheter, may be inserted into the patient's urethraproximal of the junction. Contrast agent comprising aerated K-Y jellyand water, may then be injected through an end port of the catheter. Theagent moves distally towards the patient's bladder and is visible to anultrasound probe, positioned in the patient's rectum, therebyfacilitating imaging.

Attempts have been made to improve Foley catheters, as well as tofacilitate improved imaging within a body lumen. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,715,825 to Crowley provides an acoustic imaging catheter with aninflatable dilation balloon and an ultrasound transducer. However, whileCrowley may provide improved imaging, the device is mechanically andelectrically complex, and is therefore costly. U.S. Pat. No. 5,916,153to Rhea, Jr. provides a multifunction, modified Foley catheter. Thedevice described in that patent, however, does not improve on currentjunction imaging techniques.

In view of the drawbacks associated with previously-known methods andapparatus for bladder/prostate junction imaging, it would be desirableto provide methods and apparatus that overcome such drawbacks.

It further would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus thatprovide reliable imaging of the bladder/prostate junction.

It still further would be desirable to provide methods and apparatusthat may be used in conjunction with standard brachytherapy apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide methods and apparatus for bladder/prostate junction imaging thatovercome drawbacks associated with previously-known methods andapparatus.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide methods andapparatus that provide reliable imaging of the bladder/prostatejunction.

It still further is an object to provide methods and apparatus that maybe used in conjunction with standard brachytherapy apparatus.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished byproviding methods and apparatus for bladder/prostate junction imagingcomprising a catheter having at least one distally deployable memberthat engages and defines the proximal region of the bladder. Thedeployable member is preferably constructed from a shape memory materialthat forms a petal-shaped configuration upon deployment. The deployablemember is deployed within the patient's bladder, and may be retractedproximally to conform to the proximal wall of a patient's bladder. Gaspockets may be provided around the deployable member to enhancevisibility with an ultrasound probe. Additionally, echo-contrast agentmay be injected to the region to facilitate reliable imaging.

In a preferred embodiment, the deployable member comprises a pluralityof petal-shaped Nitinol wires affixed to the distal end of a plungerthat is coupled to a multi-lumen catheter. The catheter may include adeployment lumen, a bladder drainage lumen, a contrast injection lumen,and a prostatic therapy lumen. The catheter is advanced through apatient's urethra into the patient's bladder. The deployable member isdeployed by advancing the plunger distally within the deployment lumen.Upon deployment within the bladder, the plunger is proximally retracteduntil the deployable member engages the proximal wall of the bladder.Echo-contrast agent then may be injected into a space near thebladder/prostate junction. Ultrasonic imaging may then proceed, oftenwith an ultrasound probe positioned in the patient's rectum. Urine alsomay be emptied from the bladder via the bladder drainage lumen, and thepatient's prostate may be accessed via the prostatic therapy lumen.

The deployment lumen may be used in combination with any of thedrainage, contrast, and prostatic therapy lumens. In alternativeembodiments, one or more catheter lumens may be configured to serve morethan one function. For example, a single lumen catheter having only onedistal outlet port may be provided whereby one or more proximal portsare in communication with the outlet port via the single lumen. In thisembodiment, the single lumen of the catheter allows for passage of thedeployable member, fluid injection, fluid drainage and delivery ofprostatic therapy devices or therapeutic agents.

Additionally, tubing may cover the deployable member to form gas pocketsaround the deployable member such that the gas enhances ultrasonicimaging of the bladder/prostate junction. The tubing may comprise avariety of shapes and sizes to facilitate imaging of the deployablemember.

Methods of using the present invention are also provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent fromthe following description, the appended claims, and the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters refer to like partsthroughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a prior art method of performingbrachytherapy;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view detailing the prior art method of imaging thebladder/prostate junction in greater detail;

FIGS. 3A-3C are, respectively, a side view of apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention in a collapsed delivery state, asectional view of the apparatus through section line A—A of FIG. 3A, anda side view, partly in section, of the apparatus in an expanded deployedstate;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view, partly in cross-section, demonstrating amethod of using the apparatus of FIG. 3 to image a patient'sbladder/prostate junction;

FIG. 5 illustrates an actuation mechanism for the deployable member;

FIG. 6 illustrate alternative embodiments for enhancing ultrasonicimaging of the deployable member;

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative mechanism for actuating the deployablemember;

FIGS. 8A-8B are, respectively, a side view of an alternative apparatusconstructed in accordance with the present invention in a collapseddelivery state, and a sectional view of the apparatus through sectionline B-B of FIG. 8A; and

FIGS. 9A-9B are, respectively, a side view of a further alternativeembodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention in adeployed state, and a cross-sectional view through line C-C of FIG. 9A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides methods and apparatus for improvedadministration of brachytherapy. More particularly, the presentinvention provides a prostate visualization device comprising at leastone distally deployable member that engages and defines the proximalwall of a patient's bladder. The device is preferably coupled to acatheter to facilitate imaging of the patient's bladder/prostatejunction.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art method of performingbrachytherapy is described. The method and apparatus are as taught byPeter Grimm, DO, in a pamphlet entitled, “Ultrasound Guided Implantationof the Prostate: A Practical Review Course.” As seen in FIG. 1,brachytherapy apparatus 10 comprises transrectal ultrasound probe 12,guide block 14, needle 16, plunger 18, and radioactive seeds 20.Ultrasound probe 12 is advanced through a patient's rectum R tofacilitate imaging of the patient's prostate P. Prostate P surroundsurethra U and is just proximal of bladder B. An ultrasonic image of ajunction between the prostate and the bladder is acquired, as describedhereinbelow with respect to FIG. 2. Needle 16, loaded with seeds 20 andplunger 18, is then advanced through guide block 14, through thepatient's perineum Pe, and into prostate P, where needle 16 is retractedwhile plunger 18 is held stationary to sew the seeds in a line withinprostate P.

With reference to FIG. 2, the imaging aspect of the apparatus and methodof FIG. 1 is described in greater detail. A catheter, such as a standardFoley catheter, is inserted into the patient's urethra proximal of thepatient's bladder/prostate junction. A combination of water and KY jellyis then injected through an end port of the catheter. The combinationmoves distally towards the patient's bladder and appears to ultrasoundprobe 12 as contrast agent. Ultrasound probe 12 then provides signalsthat are converted by a previously known ultrasound system to displayultrasonic image 22 of base plane BP, which is located tangent to thedistal surface of prostate P, i.e. at the prostate/bladder junction. Allpositions within the prostate are determined relative to base plane BPduring the brachytherapy procedure.

Ultrasonic imaging and location determination of base plane BP may beunreliable due to irregular ultrasonic images dependent on a density ofthe water/KY jelly combination at a given location, as well as flowconditions within the bladder and urethra. Thus, there exists a need forreliable apparatus and methods for bladder/prostate junction imaging.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a first embodiment of apparatus constructed inaccordance with the present invention is described. Apparatus 30comprises catheter 32 and plunger 42 having handle 36. Plunger 42 mayspan the approximate length of catheter 32 such that it is directlyaffixed to deployable member 44 of FIG. 3C. Alternatively, plunger 42may be affixed to the proximal end of a connector, and the distal end ofthe connector may be affixed to deployable member 44, as described inFIG. 5 hereinbelow.

Catheter 32 further comprises deployment lumen 33 and contrast lumen 35.A second contrast lumen 37 may be provided, and contrast lumens 35 and37 may be separated by optional dividing wall 39 to enhance catheterstability during injection of the contrast agent.

Deployment lumen 33 extends between proximal deployment port 46 anddistal deployment port 38. Proximal deployment port 46 is preferably ahemostatic port, e.g., a Touhy-Borst connector, that enables plunger 42to slide longitudinally through the port while inhibiting fluidtransfer. Contrast lumens 35 and 37 extend between proximal contrastport 34 and distal contrast port 40, which is located proximal of distaldeployment port 38. Catheter 32, excluding plunger 42 and handle 36,preferably comprises a total length of 30-50 cm.

Deployable member 44 is expandable from a collapsed deliveryconfiguration within deployment lumen 33, to an expanded deployedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 3C. In the deployed configuration,deployable member 44 is suitable for engaging and defining the proximalwall of a patient's bladder. Deployment member 44 preferably is providedin a petal or hoop shape, and may comprise a shape memory material,e.g., a Nickel-Titanium alloy (commonly known in the art as Nitinol).The predetermined shape is set by constraining the Nitinol element on amandrel or fixture of the desired shape, then applying an appropriateheat treatment.

Deployable member 44 preferably is provided in a concave configurationwith respect to the bladder/prostate junction. The member is flexiblesuch that it may automatically conform to the shape of the proximal wallof the bladder, without imposing excessive pressure on the prostate orbladder upon retraction of the member against the proximal wall of thebladder. In a preferred embodiment, deployable member 44 comprisestwelve petal-shaped members, although greater or fewer numbers ofpetal-shaped members may be used. The petal-shaped members may eitheroverlap circumferentially or be spaced apart circumferentially whendeployed.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a method of using apparatus 30 in accordancewith the principles of the present invention is described. Catheter 32is advanced through a patient's urethra U into bladder B, withdeployable member 44 in a collapsed delivery configuration. Plunger 42then is advanced distally, e.g., by pushing handle 36 of plunger 42distally while retaining catheter 32 stationary, such that deployablemember 44 extends beyond distal deployment port 38 of catheter 32.Deployable member 44 then self-expands to a predetermined, deployedconfiguration, as shown in FIG. 4.

Catheter 32 then is retracted out of bladder B to a desired positionwithin urethra U. Alternatively, catheter 32 first may be placed at thedesired position within the urethra and plunger 42 then is advanceddistally to push deployable member 44 through the remaining portion ofthe urethra and into the bladder. With deployable member 44 in theexpanded configuration, plunger 42 is retracted proximally untildeployable member 44 engages a proximal region of bladder B.

Echo-contrast agent then may be injected through proximal contrast port34 so that it exits distal contrast port 40. Contrast lumens 35 and 37,and ports 34 and 40, are preferably dimensioned in a manner thataccounts for the viscosity of the agent. Once the contrast agent hasbeen injected, apparatus 30 facilitates reliable ultrasonic imaging withultrasound probe 12 inserted through the patient's rectum R, as shown inFIG. 1, and enables determination of a reliable reference plane, asdepicted in FIG. 2. The reference plane may be used to conduct or toprepare for brachytherapy treatment of prostate cancer, in the mannerdiscussed hereinabove.

With respect to FIG. 5, a mechanism for actuating the deployable memberis described. Plunger 42 of FIG. 3 may be affixed to connector 50 viaadhesive 52. Plunger 42 preferably comprises a relatively rigid materialsuitable for longitudinally sliding though proximal deployment port 46.Connector 50 preferably comprises a relatively elastic material that mayadapt to the curvature of catheter 32, i.e., during transurethralinsertion of catheter 32. Connector 50 may, for example, comprise acoil, a straight wire, a plastic rod, or any other configuration havingelastic properties.

Connector 50 may be affixed to deployable member 44 via adhesive 54.Alternatively, connector 50 may be omitted and plunger 42 may span theapproximate length of catheter 32 such that it is directly affixed todeployable member 44. In this embodiment, plunger 42 may comprise arelatively rigid proximal section and a more elastic distal section thatspans the majority of the length of catheter 32.

Referring now to FIG. 6, alternative embodiments for enhancingultrasonic imaging of the deployable member are described. In FIG. 6A,deployable member 81 is preferably constructed from shape memory wire 80that expands to the deployed, petal-shape illustrated. Shape memory wire80 may be covered with biocompatible tubing 82.

Biocompatible tubing 82 may be affixed to wire 80 by a biocompatibleadhesive 84. The inner diameter of tubing 82 is sized to form gas pocketG around wire 80. Gas pocket G may comprise air, or any other radiopaquematerial, to enhance radiopaque imaging of deployable member 81 withinthe body.

Alternatively, tubing 92 may completely surround deployable member 91and may extend toward the proximal end of catheter 32, as shown in FIG.6B. In this embodiment, tubing 92 surrounds wire 90 and plunger 93 suchthat gas pocket G is visible along the length of catheter 32. Anoptional inflation port (not shown) may be added to the apparatus ofFIG. 3, and the inflation port may be coupled to the tubing such thatadditional gas G may be added to or removed from within the tubing.

FIG. 6C illustrates deployable member 101 comprising various tubingconfigurations that are intermittently spaced around deployable member101. Tubing pieces 102 are affixed at spaced increments around wire 100,each piece of tubing being suitable for housing gas pockets G tofacilitate ultrasonic imaging of deployable member 101. Intermittentlyspacing the tubing around wire 100 may provide less resistance as wire100 deploys to its predetermined configuration. Similarly, smallertubing pieces 106 or rounded tubing pieces 104 may be intermittentlyspaced around deployable member 101.

In FIG. 6D, deployable member 111 comprises plurality of interwovenwires 112. Plurality of interwoven wires 112 are loosely wrapped suchthat gaps exist between the wires. Advantageously, these gaps may trapgas bubbles G to facilitate ultrasonic imaging of deployable member 111near the bladder/prostate junction.

In FIG. 6E, deployable member 121 comprises a single piece of tubing 122configured to deploy to a predetermined shape. In this embodiment, theproximal end of tubing 122 is sealed by plug 124 to confine contrast gasG. Alternatively, plug 124 may be omitted and tubing 122 may be coupledto a proximal inflation port (not shown) such that a radiopaque contrastagent may be injected into or removed from tubing 122.

In FIG. 7, an alternative mode of actuating deployable member 131 isdepicted. Deployable member 131 comprises wire 130 having hinging member134. Hinging member 134 is initially constrained within catheter 132during transurethral insertion of the device, as illustrated by thedotted line outline of position X. Upon positioning, wire 130 isadvanced distally, e.g., by distally advancing plunger 42 of FIG. 1,such that hinging member 134 is advanced distal to port 138. Hinges 136provide torsional rotation that allow hinging member 134 to expand to acurved configuration, as illustrated by position Y, suitable forconforming to the proximal wall of the patient's bladder.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a further alternative embodiment of thecatheter of the present invention is described. Catheter 152 comprisesdeployment lumen 153, prostatic therapy lumen 155, contrast lumen 157,and bladder drainage lumen 159. Deployment lumen 153 extends betweenproximal deployment port 158, e.g., a Touhy-Borst connector, and distaldeployment port 170. Contrast lumen 157 extends between proximalcontrast port 160 and distal contrast port 166, which is locatedproximal of distal deployment port 170. Prostatic therapy lumen 155extends between proximal prostate port 164 and distal prostate port 165,which is located proximal of distal contrast port 166. Bladder drainagelumen 159 extends between proximal drainage port 162 and distal drainageport 168, which is located adjacent to distal deployment port 170.

Urine and other fluids may be emptied from the patient's bladder B ofFIG. 8 during and after imaging via bladder drainage lumen 168. Urineenters distal drainage port 168, passes through drainage lumen 159 andexits the patient's body through proximal drainage port 162.

Prostatic therapy lumen 155 provides access to the patient's prostate Pof FIG. 8. Therapeutic agents or interventional devices may be insertedinto lumen 155 through proximal prostate port 164, and deposited intothe patient's prostate P via distal prostate port 165. Apparatus 150thus may be used for a variety of procedures which will be apparent tothose of skill in the art and of which brachytherapy is only oneexample. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that deployment lumen 153and its respective ports may be used in conjunction with any of theother three lumens described hereinabove, and their respective ports.

Referring now to FIGS. 9A-9B, a further alternative embodiment of acatheter of the present invention is described. In FIG. 9A, apparatus230 comprises catheter 232 having plunger 242 disposed within lumen 233thereof. Plunger 242 includes handle 236 and is coupled to deployablemember 244, for example, via connecting rod 250, as describedhereinabove with respect to FIG. 5. In this embodiment, catheter 232comprises single lumen 233, as shown in FIG. 9B, that is configured tobe used as a deployment lumen, contrast lumen, bladder drainage lumenand, optionally, as a prostatic therapy lumen. This configurationeliminates the need for two or more separate lumens, and reduces theoverall profile of catheter 232.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9A, proximal deployment port 246 and proximalcontrast port 234 preferably are similar to ports 46 and 34 of FIG. 3A,respectively, except that each of ports 246 and 234 communicate withlumen 233. Accordingly, contrast may be injected into proximal contrastport 234, flow through lumen 233 alongside connecting rod 250, and exitthrough distal outlet port 240, which forms as an opening at thedistalmost end of catheter 232. In this embodiment, distal outlet port240 also serves as the deployment port through which deployable member244 is extended to self-deploy.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the wire loops forming the petal-shapedmembers at least partially overlap, thereby enhancing the structuralrigidity of the petal-shaped members when deployed. As in the embodimentof FIG. 5, the petal-shaped members preferably comprise a shape-memorybiocompatible alloy, such as nickel-titanium.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above in detail, it will be understood that this descriptionis merely for purposes of illustration. Specific features of theinvention are shown in some drawings and not in others; this is forconvenience only, and any feature may be combined with another inaccordance with the invention. Further variations will be apparent toone skilled in the art in light of this disclosure and are intended tofall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. Apparatus for facilitating visualization of a patient'sprostate/bladder junction, comprising: a catheter having proximal anddistal ends, a proximal deployment port at the proximal end, a firstoutlet port at the distal end, and a first lumen extending therebetween;a plunger having proximal and distal ends, the distal end of the plungerconfigured to slidably pass through the proximal deployment port; and atleast one deployable member coupled to the distal end of the plunger,wherein the deployable member is expandable from a deliveryconfiguration adapted for transurethral insertion, to a deployedconfiguration adapted for engagement of a proximal portion of thepatient's bladder.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catheterfurther comprises a second inlet port, a second outlet port and a secondlumen extending therebetween.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein thecatheter further comprises a third inlet port, a third outlet port and athird lumen extending therebetween.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe deployable member comprises at least one wire loop.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4 wherein the wire loop has a roughened exterior surface, theroughened exterior surface adapted to entrap gas bubbles to facilitateultrasonic imaging.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the wire loopcomprises a shape memory material.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 whereinthe wire loop consists of a Nickel Titanium alloy.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the deployable member comprises a petal-shape in thedeployed configuration.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thedeployable member comprises a plurality of petal-shaped members that atleast partially overlap in the deployed configuration.
 10. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the elasticity of the deployable member enables thedeployable member to conform to the proximal wall of the bladder withoutdisplacing the bladder wall.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein thedeployable member is concave with respect to the proximal wall of thebladder in the deployed configuration.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising brachytherapy apparatus configured for delivery ofradioactive seeds to the patient's prostate, wherein delivery of theseeds is facilitated by ultrasonic imaging of a junction of thepatient's prostate and bladder.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theplunger further comprises a handle affixed to the proximal end of theplunger.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plunger comprises arigid material.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plungercomprises a rigid proximal section and an elastic distal section, theelastic distal section suitable for conforming to the curvature of thecatheter.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a connectorhaving proximal and distal ends, wherein the proximal end of theconnector is affixed to the distal end of the plunger, and the distalend of the connector is affixed to the deployable member.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the connector is a plastic rod.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 16 wherein the connector has a coiled configuration.19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the connector has a flexible wireconfiguration.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the catheter has alength of between 30 cm and 50 cm.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a piece of tubing at least partially covering the deployablemember, the tubing suitable for confining gas pockets to enhanceultrasonic imaging around the deployable member.
 22. The apparatus ofclaim 21 further comprising adhesives suitable for affixing thedeployable members to the tubing to confine the gas pockets within thetubing.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein a plurality of spacedapart pieces of tubing are spaced along the deployable member.
 24. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the deployable member further comprises ahinging member suitable for rotating the deployable member to apredetermined configuration upon deployment.
 25. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the deployable members comprise a plurality of interwovenwires.
 26. A method of facilitating visualization of a patient'sprostate/bladder junction, the method comprising: providing apparatuscomprising a catheter having proximal and distal ends, a proximaldeployment port at the proximal end, a first outlet port at the distalend, a first lumen extending therebetween, a plunger having proximal anddistal ends, and at least one deployable member affixed to the distalend of the plunger; advancing the apparatus through the patient'surethra; distally advancing the deployable member beyond the distaloutlet port to deploy the deployable member to a predeterminedconfiguration within the patient's bladder; and proximally retractingthe deployable member such that it engages a proximal portion of thepatient's bladder.
 27. The method of claim 26 further comprisinginjecting an echo-contrast agent to facilitate visualization of thepatient's prostate/bladder junction.
 28. The method of claim 26 furthercomprising ultrasonically imaging a junction between the patient'sbladder and the patient's prostate.
 29. The method of claim 26 furthercomprising performing brachytherapy on the patient's prostate.